adjective
Uncommon
suicidal
soo-ih-SEYE-duhl
Suicidal (adjective) means wanting to kill oneself, or showing signs of wanting to. Example: “He was hospitalized after telling his therapist he felt suicidal.”
adjective
1
Wanting to kill oneself, or showing signs of wanting to.
"He was hospitalized after telling his therapist he felt suicidal."
"The hotline exists for anyone having suicidal thoughts."
"If you ever feel suicidal, please tell a doctor or call a helpline straight away."
2
So reckless or dangerous that it amounts to risking one's own life.
"Overtaking on a blind bend like that is suicidal."
"Attacking the champion head-on was a suicidal strategy for the smaller team."
"Climbing the cliff in a storm without ropes would be suicidal."
How to use suicidal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes either a person at risk of taking their own life, or an action so dangerous it could get someone killed.
When to use it
When discussing mental health, use this word carefully and factually rather than as a casual exaggeration.
Common pairings
suicidal thoughts
suicidal tendencies
a suicidal move
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Word forms
- Plural
- suicidals
- Comparative
- more suicidal
- Superlative
- most suicidal
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was hospitalized after telling his therapist he felt _____.
Etymology
Formed in English from suicide plus the adjective ending -al.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for suicidal
See all rhymes for suicidal →Frequently asked questions
What does “suicidal” mean?
The word “suicidal” means wanting to kill oneself, or showing signs of wanting to. In plain terms, describes either a person at risk of taking their own life, or an action so dangerous it could get someone killed.
How do you pronounce “suicidal”?
“Suicidal” is pronounced soo-ih-SEYE-duhl (/ˌsu.əˈsaɪ.dəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “suicidal” in a sentence?
Here is “suicidal” used in a sentence: “He was hospitalized after telling his therapist he felt suicidal.”
What part of speech is “suicidal”?
“Suicidal” is an adjective.
Is “suicidal” a common word?
“Suicidal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “suicidal” have?
“Suicidal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: wanting to kill oneself, or showing signs of wanting to.
What is the difference between "suicidal" and "depressed"?
"Suicidal" specifically describes wanting to kill oneself or showing signs of that intent, while "depressed" describes a broader mood involving persistent sadness or hopelessness that doesn't always include thoughts of ending one's life. A person can be depressed without being suicidal.
Can "suicidal" describe something other than a person's mental state?
Yes, "suicidal" can also describe behaviour or actions so reckless or dangerous that they amount to risking one's own life, such as a "suicidal driving manoeuvre."
Is it appropriate to use "suicidal" casually to describe stress, such as "I'm suicidal about this deadline"?
No, because "suicidal" has a serious meaning tied to genuine risk of self-harm, using it casually as exaggeration is discouraged and can trivialize a serious issue.
